Month: December 2013

Book Blitz and Giveaway for the MIDNIGHT FIRE series

The Complete Midnight Fire Series (Midnight Fire)
by Kaitlyn Davis
Available NOW!
**Get the first two books FREE when you buy the entire series at once!**

From bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis comes a paranormal romance perfect for fans of Twilight, The Vampire Diaries, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

“With one last look, one final search of the lines of his face for some sign, Kira turned and ran away from the sound of the man she loved laughing in the face of her death.”

When Kira Dawson moves to South Carolina, she meets Luke, a blond goofball who quickly becomes her best friend, and Tristan, a mysterious bad boy who sends shivers down her spine. Kira knows they’re keeping secrets, but when she discovers Tristan’s lust for blood and her own dormant mystical powers, Kira is forced to fight for her life and make the heartbreaking decision between the familiar comfort of friendship and the fiery passion of love.
Available from:
photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg  photo 111AD205-AA04-4F9E-A0F4-C1264C4E9F30-1855-000001A1E8CEB6D7_zps9b730b94.jpg  photo smashwordsicon_zps931b0409.jpg

RAVE REVIEWS for the Midnight Fire Series!
“The writing is effortlessly mind blowing. I could not put this entire series down. Once you’re hooked, you won’t either because it’ll eat you up not knowing what happened! And then you’ll pick a team like I did and you’ll fall in love with all the characters and you’ll want all the bad guys to die horribly! Just trust me when I say it really is your loss to miss out on this series! It’s a blaze of glory!” – Happy Tales and Tails Blog
“Kaitlyn Davis writes some of the best action scenes I have come across in a young adult book; they are fast paced and so well delivered making this more than just a silly romance.” – Reflections of a Bookworm
“The only downside to this series, is that it ended. But the ending was beautiful.” – My Seryniti
“Kira isn’t a human girl who is one dimensional and in love with a vampire. She’s a well-thought out character who comes to life from the pages and steals into your heart. Read the books. Do it.” – Urban Girl Reader
“I love and hate how fast of a read this was! I love it because I couldn’t get enough of it and hate it because once I finished I wanted more!” – I Just Wanna Sit Here And Read
“I really enjoyed Ms Davis’s writing, I was riveted throughout and was eager to see what would happen – there was drama, danger, action and romance that was wonderfully detailed and described.” – Obsession With Books
“You’ll make friends with Kira, choose sides with Tristan and Luke, and fall in love with the story at heart about a girl with so bright a future….even shades aren’t gonna cut it.” – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Want a taste of IGNITE?
The blast of cold breeze felt fantastic and Kira let Tristan lead her away from the school, past the football field to the big tree overhanging the school’s manmade lake. He sat down and leaned against the tree, motioning for her to sit with him, but Kira ignored it and started dancing to the quiet strains of music they could hear coming from the gym.
“Kira, sit down.” He sounded frustrated.
“No! I want to dance.” She started jumping up and down to the beat of the music and almost lost her balance, but Tristan stood up and caught her before she crashed. He slipped his jacket off and Kira pushed her arms through the oversized sleeves. Finally, she calmed down and swayed to the music with him.
Kira sighed, resigned to the fact that the moment felt completely right.
“What?” he asked.
“I’m supposed to be ignoring you, but it’s not working.”
He laughed quietly. “No, that doesn’t seem to be working for either of us.”
“Is that why you punched Carter?”
“I just couldn’t stand the way he was touching you.” Kira smiled to herself.
“Jelly belly,” she said, wishing she could get her mouth to stop word vomiting. She could feel his chin on the top of her head as he pulled her in closer.
“Maybe.” He said, but it sounded more like a begrudging yes.
Kira yawned.
“Time to sit down,” he told her while helping her down to the spot next to him on the ground and leaning her back against the tree. Kira watched the moon reflect off the water. She looked at the sky and saw it still swerving there, and finally had the realization Tristan must have had in the gym.
“I think my sodas were not just soda,” she concluded as the world continued to spin.
“I think you’re right.” He put his arm around her, letting her head fall to his shoulder. They sat silently in the moonlight, just enjoying one another’s company.
“Are you like one hundred years old?” Kira spat out the first question that came to her mind. She had never even thought of it before, too consumed by his eating habits instead.
Tristan shrugged. “A little older.”
Kira sat up, fascinated, and turned to look him in the eyes. “How old?” She asked, feeling like a little girl.
“About one-hundred and fifty, give or take a year.” Kira’s jaw dropped and her eyelids widened in complete shock.
“Gross!” She clamped her hands over her mouth before she could say anything else. He just laughed it off.
“I look pretty good for someone who’s more than a century old, right?” He grinned. She blushed, thinking of their kiss, and silently agreed.
“So, what do we do now? I’m seventeen and growing, you’re seventeen and stagnant.” Kira finally felt herself coming down from the alcohol Carter had slipped her. The lake still seemed to glow and the stars still danced in the sky, but she was regaining her mental control.
“I don’t know,” he whispered and reached for her hand. Kira intertwined her fingers with his, amazed at his cool touch against her boiling skin. Fire and ice, she thought. That really was what they were, complete opposites. Fire could melt ice and ice could douse a fire, but was there any way for the two to meet in the middle?

 

About the Author
I’ve always been a writer. I grew up duct taping my novels together, started writing complete manuscripts in high school and studied creative writing at Johns Hopkins University. Upon graduating, I decided it was finally time to actually give my dream career a chance. So, of course, I started writing a young adult paranormal romance series — and no, I’m not jumping on the bandwagon. I’ve been a true paranormal supporter for my entire life! I blame my obsession almost completely on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, my all-time favorite television show. And, before you ask: Yes, I own every season… even the post WB ones! I especially challenge anyone to watch the first three seasons and not fall in love with Angel, securing a lifelong love of vampires! Other culprits
of my paranormal obsession are some of my favorite authors: JK Rowling, Raymond Feist, Meg Cabot, Richelle Mead, Lynne Ewing and Tamora Pierce.

Author Links:
photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png    photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png  photo iconpinterest_zps6fcf02a7.png

GIVEAWAY:
3 Digital sets of The Complete Midnight Fire Series. Each copy includes all FOUR books in the series – Ignite, Simmer, Blaze & Scorch (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz hosted by:

Swooning for THIRD DAUGHTER!!–A Review and Giveaway

ThirdDaughterBlitzBanner copyIf you had to marry for love or marry for peace, what would you choose?

That’s the question facing Princess Aniri, Third Daughter to the Queen of Dharia.

TD-coverIt’s two weeks until Aniri turns eighteen and can choose to marry her beau–Devesh, a courtesan and emissary from Samir. Her two older sisters have already married men that complement their station, even when love is not present, and Aniri is determined to follow her heart, not her duty.

Especially when her duty involves marrying Prince Malik, heir to the throne of the barbarous northern Jungali provinces. No. No! NO!

Except, Aniri knows she can’t decline outright–and rumors of a Jungali airship weapon are serious indeed. If Aniri accepts the prince’s proposal she can get close enough to find out if the airship is real–and maybe she can help her homeland and her mother’s Queendom figure out how to avoid a war.

Prince Malik makes it easy on Aniri–he tells her their marriage would be one of business. That she could (discreetly) take a lover if she wished. Hmm… And her mother, the Queen, assures her that the choice is hers.

Aniri does what she must–becomes a spy. I loved her reactions to the “barbarians” she encounters on her journey north! Oh, how sweet to have her realize, “Hey, they’re pretty awesome in their own way!” Then Devesh shows up and tells her the airship is a ruse–a trick to get her to marry Malik. After which she will be killed and her beloved country Dharia overrun by Samir and Jungali. Aniri doesn’t know who to believe, and espionage is not her strong suit. The political intrigue is high and Aniri barely escapes an attempt on her life.

The tension is fierce throughout. Each new chapter brings Aniri closer to either love, or death. We get a fantastic steampunk world, with an East Indian flair, and a strong female main character who picks up the ball and runs her hardest. Even when she fumbles, Aniri is worthy of cheers because she learns from her mistakes and never quits.

What I hadn’t expected, and thoroughly adored, was Malik’s assistance. He realizes his only shot at peace is this marriage, and he’s willing to trust a confessed spy with the biggest military secret of his country. Aniri could never have learned what was necessary to save her people without Malik earning her forever trust. And Devesh? Well, perhaps an on-the-side lover isn’t the best place for him in the Jungali court. In the end, Aniri does choose her own husband. And she chooses very well indeed.

Three words to describe this Third Daughter? Indomitable. Passionate. Resourceful. She’s my kind of heroine.

And, can I say the cover is exquisite? The internal art (chapter headings and section breaks) is just as lovely, and speaks volumes about the care that went into making this book.

So, a bit of disclosure: I have known the delightful Susan Kaye Quinn for going on four years. We are longtime critique partners and I’ve read everything she’s published (except the INDIE GUIDE TO SELF PUBLISHING). THIRD DAUGHTER is, in fact, the first book I received from Sue as a freebie for the purpose of review. I absolutely LOVED it, and would recommend it to any YA reader. Its smidgeon of passion–some swoony kisses–won’t make you blush, but will get your heart beating.

Interested?  You can find THIRD DAUGHTER at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and kobo. It comes out today, so HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, THIRD DAUGHTER!
*tosses confetti* *releases balloons to the sky*

About the Fantastic Susan Kaye Quinn:

Susan Kaye Quinn grew up in California, where she wrote snippets of stories and passed them to her friends during class. Her teachers pretended not to notice and only confiscated her stories a couple times. Susan left writing behind to pursue a bunch of engineering degrees, but she was drawn back to writing by an irresistible urge to share her stories with her niece, her kids, and all the wonderful friends she’s met along the way. She doesn’t have to sneak her notes anymore, which is too bad.Susan writes from the Chicago suburbs with her three boys, two cats, and one husband. Which, it turns out, is exactly as a much as she can handle. You can find Sue actively engaged in writing and mentoring on her website, Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter.
***GIVEAWAY***
Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win any of these cool prizes!
–20x “Third Daughter” mini M&M packs  (US only)
–A steampunk key necklace (INTL)
–“Third Daughter” East-Indian style bridal jewelry (INT)
Best of luck, and as always, keep reading my friends!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XpressoBannerTours copy

They are HOLDING ON FOREVER–Review and Giveaway

Holding On ForeverHi there and welcome to my stop on the HOLDING ON FOREVER blog tour sponsored by YA Bound Book Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a New Adult romance by Cecilia Robert.

HoldingOnForever.v3 - Final (1)Book Summary:
Liese is finally moving on with Frey by her side. But sometimes letting go is the hardest part, and trusting is a risk one has to take. In between her practicum and spending time with Frey whenever he is town, she fights her insecurities, and wins. Then something happens and Frey’s priorities momentarily shift, making her second guess their relationship. Suddenly, going back to their former best friends status has never looked so appealing.

Frey’s life has never shined so bright now that Liese is his. But there is a part of him that is shrouded by memories he’d rather have them buried where no one can touch them.  Not even him. But even buried memories and people can’t stay hidden for forever. What Liese doesn’t know is that Frey isn’t about to let go so easily, and he will throw in everything he’s got to stop her from leaving him. He has waited an eternity for her. Giving her up is not an option.

My Review:

This short novel is the sequel to TRULY MADLY DEEPLY YOU, which I have not read. Still, it can be read alone. It picks up with Liese and Frey already in serious with each other. This may not sound odd, but Liese and Frey are childhood friends. They are young (about 24 each I’d say) yet have suffered deep personal losses. Liese had a miscarriage and lost her husband after a terrible car wreck two years prior. She has tremendous abandonment issues, as a result.

Frey’s parents died in a Christmas Day fire ten years ago and his only brother died in duty five years ago–so they’ve suffered. Unfortunately, I didn’t really sense this in the book.

Here’s Why:  At first I thought the pacing was off. That everything happened too slowly for me to really agonize about the characters, but as I read on I realized that the tension was the problem.

As soon as anything remotely dangerous or upsetting occurred, it got dealt with. When Frey went MIA for a few weeks Liese barely got anxious. She didn’t go alcoholic, or turn her house into a Monument of OCD behavior; she spent some nights at her parent’s house and talked to her therapist about her feelings. Then, when he called she tried to break up with him. The rapid transition was very superficial–it never gave me a chance to really get into Liese’s head and feel her pain, so I couldn’t connect with her abandonment, or her worry, or her…anything.

Likewise with Frey–he thinks his brother’s dead for FIVE YEARS. Then one night he gets a call from his brother’s cell number. First, I’m sure people update their cell phones more often than that. If he’d gotten a new phone, I’d imagine he’d have deleted his bro’s contact info…amiright? But, that aside, his brother shows up–alive–and after a brief confrontation they go to Frey’s house. End of chapter.

So, my biggest complaint of the story was a complete lack of emotional resonance. There was no pitch and roll, no “Will they, or Won’t they?” heartstring tug that made me stay up too, too late and show up to work the next day groggy with a book hangover.

My second biggest issue was with setting. I didn’t learn where this story happened until page 50. The book is clearly written by a “Queens English” speaker–meaning the grammar and diction is that of a subject of the Crown, not a gal from Queens, NY–and I’ve read an unGodly amount of British authors who apply their familiar speech and colloquialisms to characters in, say, Texas. Or, New York. Or, some other distinctive US locale wherein persons would never, for example, “have a row” or discuss how “smartly” a woman dresses. Those Brit-isms are rampant throughout the manuscript, so I kept waiting for the London references and crossing my fingers were weren’t going to take a ride up the Empire State Building. Turns out the setting was Vienna, Austria. I’d not known anything about Vienna–and have learned little more than areas within the city are called “Districts”. I’d have loved a bit more immersion into this destination.

Interested in HOLDING ON FOREVER? You can find it at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

About the Author

Cecilia Robert  writes YA, NA and Adult. Her motto: Passion rules. She enjoys writing stories about people finding love in the most unexpected of places, and also about people finding their true purpose in life coupled with adventurous journeys, whether it’s urban, fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary or paranormal romance. There’s always a happy ever after, no matter how long it takes for the characters to get there. When she’s not working in her full time job, she dons her supermom cape, or in most cases find herself trapped between the pages of a book in search for a hero who’ll make her swoon with just a look or a word. Her favourite form of therapy is knitting. Best. Therapy. Ever.

You can find Cecilia on her blog, Goodreads, twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

***GIVEAWAY***
Click the link below for your chance to win
one of 3 ebook copies of Holding On Forever (INT)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

642fa-yabounktourbutton

Sneak Peek of HARD GLAMOUR by Maggie Marr

SNEAK PEEK:  HARD GLAMOUR

A new series by Maggie Marr

Hard Glamour Cover

New Adult Contemporary

Releasing January 14, 2014

Lane Channing doesn’t have much to leave behind in Kansas. She promised her dying mother she would follow her dreams no matter what. That’s why this summer Lane is taking ‘the big risk’ and leaving the Midwest for an internship in LA at CTA. She arrives for her internship in her old jeep with 20 bucks until her first paycheck — but she has a job! A dream job that will get her into the Industry…or she thought she did until she finds out that CTA gave her job away! Now she’s broke, unemployed and stuck in LA with no safety net.

Dillon MacAvoy has one goal–to become a star. His agent and publicist have been honing his bad-boy can’t-be-tamed forever-single image in preparation for the release of Dillon’s first film. An image that will sell tickets, solidify Dillon’s career. Besides, it’s an image that is very close to the truth. Nothing matters to Dillon but his career and his brother. He’s got offers for great roles stacking up but the studios are getting ready to pull the deals if he won’t give them answers. Problem? He keeps sleeping with his script readers and then tossing them aside. Then Dillon’s brother Choo finds the perfect reader for Dillon, a reader that is completely untouchable–Choo finds Lane Channing.

Lane is saved by the job opportunity to read for Dillon MacAvoy and if she can last the entire summer as his reader then she will have a job next spring when she graduates college. But she will have to ignore the heat that pulses through her whenever Dillon is in the room. Dillon can’t get distracted by Lane–she could ruin the brand that his agent and publicist have built a brand that includes Dillon as forever single bad boy–an image that as Dillon gets to know Lane Channing might not fit his identity anymore.
photo goodreads-badge-add-38px11_zpsba99ee71.jpg

Sneak Peek Excerpt
Dillon
I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted to because I didn’t want to hurt Lane. I didn’t want to draw here into my insane world. I wanted her to read for me this summer and then go back to Kansas where she could meet someone good for her, someone that would take care of her, but when I looked in her eyes and saw that she understood. She got how hard it was to go into that room and pretend to be happy but how it was also an honor and of course I couldn’t cry in there. It was tragic and sad but it would be selfish to cry–that family was experiencing that pain.

It was my job, to do the very best I could to bring some light and joy into that room if only they got to have their son for 6 days or 6 months I was meant to lighten their load. I wasn’t the star of that show.

And Lane got it.

Her lips trembled and her voice shook and her eyes those damn turquoise eyes with specks of green were wet and wide and she was just so their and so alive and so beautiful what else—there was nothing else I could do. I wanted her. I’d wanted her from the moment I met her.

I needed to kiss her, it wasn’t a choice. I reached out and I grabbed her by both arms and pulled her to me. Her lips were soft and at first surprised but she yielded to me. I pressed her against the elevator wall. My mouth was so greedy for her.

Heat burst through my belly. I was hard and my cock throbbed. I hadn’t been this turned on — ever.

My hand skimmed over her bare thigh and along the edges of her shorts. Damn that amazing beautiful thigh. My hand pressed up over the top of her shirt, against her waist and to the edge of the roundness of her breast. A soft moan came from deep in her throat and I nearly exploded. She pressed her hips forward against mine. I touched the edge of her breast and another soft little moan escaped her throat. A moan that nearly undid me. I pressed harder against her.

Then the elevator dinged. I looked at her and the heat in my body stunned me. What was I thinking? We were in a fucking elevator in a hospital? I wasn’t … I couldn’t think, that was obvious–I couldn’t even think when Lane was around. I jerked away from Lane and burst off the elevator and toward the hospital doors. I needed air. This…I hadn’t meant to, didn’t — shouldn’t have. Fuck what had I done? I looked over my shoulder once before I slammed through the automatic doors, the look on Lane’s face–the look she was shocked and surprised and stunned. Her fingers lingered on her lips where seconds before my lips had been.

Maggie MarrAbout the Author
Maggie Marr grew up in the Midwest and made the move to Los Angeles to work in the movie business. She was a motion picture literary agent for ICM before becoming a full time writer. She’s written for film and TV and ghostwritten for celebrities. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
photo AToMRTourslogo_zps3d9025b5.jpg

Wrecked by CRASHING INTO YOU–Review

Alcohol and adolescents make a dangerous cocktail.

That’s the premise behind B. D. Rowe’s newly released New Adult romance CRASHING INTO YOU.

Crashing Into YouSummary from Goodreads:

Bookish college sophomore Sydney Baker wants Evan Taylor with every ounce of her being. The hottest stud on campus, Evan is six foot four, ripped, stacked with muscles. He’s even easy to talk to.

There’s just one problem: he’s her roommate Melanie’s boyfriend.

But when Melanie tragically dies after a night of wild partying, Sydney and Evan turn to each other in a time of intense grief. And it doesn’t take long for their close friendship to blossom into something more.

Unfortunately for Sydney, secrets from the past soon put her relationship with Evan to the test. Especially when a sexy blonde freshman makes her way into Evan’s life, and tries to rip away everything Sydney holds close to her heart.

My Review:

This book is currently on a blog tour, of which I am not a participant; I got a free reviewer’s copy through NetGalley. The premise sounded interesting, and I’m always down for a New Adult romance, but the story here didn’t grab me. ***This review contains some spoilers***

Background: Sydney’s a survivor of a car accident that killed three people–her drunk, at-fault boyfriend, and a mother and her young child. Sydney hardly drinks and acts as the DD for her friends now. Oh, and she’s still underage for alcohol.

While at school, Sydney struggles with the binge drinking she witnesses around her. She seeks to intervene to help kids not over-indulge–with mixed results. Secretly she pines for Evan, her roommate Melanie’s boyfriend.

It’s not so clear that Evan and Melanie are in trouble, romance-wise. And Sydney does nothing overt to damage their relationship. She and Evan are friends. They do some friend-type stuff: hanging out, studying for a mutual class. It is Evan who makes a move on Sydney. And she shuts him down, because Friend Code, and all that. Good girl. I don’t want to hate you.

The same night Evan puts the move on, Melanie dies from alcohol poisoning. Now Evan is free, but grieving, and Sydney blames herself for not stepping in the path of Melanie’s self-destructive alcohol issues. I can buy that.

Later that summer Sydney and Evan reunite. They behave as friends though Sydney wants more. And she eventually gets the whole Evan-chilada. The smexytimes are a bit overdone to me. Here’s why: throughout this story I felt Sydney read very teen-angsty and immature. She’s kinda petty, and jealous, and well, apart from the “DD-Be-Alcohol-Responsible” stuff she felt rather juvenile. Some people are adult-y in grade school. Sydney felt kiddie, despite being twenty y/o, thus the graphic sex gave me an awkward vibe.

Then school starts again. That this tale was swimming into dark waters wasn’t subtle–more fore-bludgeoning than foreshadowing–and we have Melanie’s Doppleganger appear on campus. Why is Sydney worried? She’s got her man. And the Look-a-like is Melanie’s younger sister. Do guys really want to date their dead ex-girfriend’s younger sister? I struggled with the logic. But it reinforced my feeling that Sydney is too immature to move forward with an adult relationship.

Sydney’s BIGGEST problem isn’t a boyfriend’s potentially-wandering eye, it’s how to develop the skills to cope with disappointment–sans alcohol. The very second she catches Evan in a lie what does Sydney do? Pound two cocktails and vomit in the bushes. Yeah. Great job being a mature adult, Syd.

The ending consists of a melodramatic twist that does a disservice to the story.  A fatality occurs and the plot value of it was nil, IMHO. It felt so unnecessary. What lesson did Sydney learn anyway? Don’t drive while consumed by jealousy? Meh. Not big enough to justify the death–and if it was designed to create plot problems for a sequel, well, I don’t like the characters nearly enough to hitch along for that ride.

I want to recommend the book to younger readers so they can learn how absolutely stupid it is to binge on alcohol–but I can’t because the smexytimes are icky-sticky for younger readers. Some New Adult-ers might relate with Sydney, but mostly I shook my head.

You can find CRASHING INTO YOU at Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

If nothing else, reading stinkers helps me to appreciate the awesome books that much more. The book  wasn’t awful, but the plot didn’t catch me like I thought it would, and the ending was a total downer.

As always, keep reading my friends!

Swooning over MR. 365–Review and Giveaway!

Hi there and welcome to the MR. 365 Blog Tour sponsored by AToMR Book Tours. For other stops on the tour click here. Today’s book is a contemporary adult romance from Ruth Clampett–author of a personal fave:  ANIMATE ME.

mr-365-cover-finalBook description
When reality show producer Sophia is assigned to convince Christmas fanatic Will to be on their holiday special, she imagines him to be an oddball momma’s boy wearing a reindeer Christmas sweater. What she doesn’t expect is the handsome, mysterious man who captures her attention, and seems determined to win her heart.

Their attraction is undeniable, and as charming Sophia convinces Will to work with her, she slowly unwraps the secrets in his past that make this determined and soulful man still yearn for the childhood he never had.

When the chaos of production starts, will Sophia be able to keep her promises to protect Will from being exploited, or will the bitter truth of reality television be a runaway train of disaster for both of them?

Join Sophia, Will and his dog Romeo to enter the world of his enchanting holiday house where stars shine indoors and snow is always falling…365 days of the year.

My Review:

Will is a man’s man. He’s big, burly and…decorates his house like it’s Christmas everyday. Of course, he ramps it up for the holidays–much to his neighbors’ chagrin–but his mission is to simply give back. He had a lousy childhood, spent time in juvie and on the streets, but he made it out. Grew up and realized his good fortune is a blessing he should spread around.

Sophia is a film producer new to ‘reality’ TV. Her first big show is to showcase Will and his “Christmas obsession” but she recognizes the emotional frailty that resides within Will and wants to show him in a favorable light–in fact she promises to. He never wanted to do the show and only agrees when Sophia tells him how a positive piece–highlighting Will’s charity work, might ease the heat he gets from his neighbors over his lawn decorations.

And then they fall in love. Sigh. Okay, okay–it’s deep, deep like anyway. It’s adorable how they try to keep their attraction on the down-low, what with the production staff (female and male) swooning over Will! They do try to maintain a professional attitude in front of others. Mostly.

Then the shoot wraps and Will and Sophia are finally able to indulge in their passion for each other. Briefly. Add one Insane Neighbor Vendetta and you got yourselves an old-fashioned front yard brawl, complete with serious injuries, fire department call-outs, and overnight jail stays.

Sophia heads on to her next assignment and the powers that be, well, let’s say their “creative” take on Will’s Christmas house would earn them coal-filled stockings…It’s not going to win over Will’s neighbors, in any case. Sophia can’t bear the part she played in Will’s show–and their budding relationship…well…

*stage whisper* IT’S A ROMANCE, SILLIES! SOMEHOW IT ALL WORKS OUT!

Yes, HEA indeed. And it’s a great ride. The steam is subtle, and the tension is high, and I’d love me a little bit of Mr. 365–if Ms. Clampett has any to spare. Fact is, I love Ruth Clampett’s characters. Will is damaged goods, but achingly vulnerable and entirely loveable. Sophia is career-minded and driven, but she takes time to listen and learn. The book will surely appeal to contemporary romance fans.

About the Author

Ruth Clampett, daughter of legendary animation director, Bob Clampett, has spent a lifetime surrounded by art and animation. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, her careers have included graphic design, photography, VP of Design for WB Stores and teaching photography at UCLA. She now runs her own studio as the fine art publisher for Warner Bros. where she’s had the opportunity to know and work with many of the greatest artists in the world of animation and comics.

Mr. 365 is Ruth’s second novel and is inspired by her varied experiences in the television world from winning big on a game show, to guest hosting on the QVC shopping network, to sharing a studio with a production team that produced early reality television. Her first novel, Animate Me, is a contemporary romance set in the animation world. (Can I mention again how much I loved ANIMATE ME? Because–I so did! V:) ) She lives in Los Angeles and is heavily supervised by her teenage daughter, lovingly referred to as Snarky, who helps her plan and execute their yearly Christmas extravaganza.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

***Giveaway***

One Grand prize consisting of:Mr.365 Grand Prize pic 2

(1)  Signed print copy of Mr. 365,
(1) metal Mr. 365 ornament,
(1) embellished Studio Coffee tumbler,
(1) studio keychain – US Only

Also up for grabs:

(3)  Signed print copies of Mr. 365  – International
(5) eBook copies of Mr. 365 – International

Just click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, and as always: Keep reading, my friends!

AToMRTours_mdm

Finally Got My BACKSTAGE PASS–A review

Now I’ve been extolling the prowess of Olivia Cunning’s e-ROCK-tica since July.

That’s when I met her One Night With Sole Regret novella series–and I have loved each one of them (in order: TRY ME, TEMPT ME, TAKE ME, SHARE ME, TOUCH ME, TIE ME and TELL ME) but–for some UNKNOWN reason (I’m going to blame solar flares for this one)–I never read the Sinners on Tour novels that came first.

Oh, what a goof am I.

Backstage Pass (Sinners on Tour, #1)BACKSTAGE PASS (Sinners #1) has the tagline: Sex, Love and Rock-n-Roll. It so delivers.

Myrna Evans is a sociology professor who specializes in human sensuality/sexual attraction research. Most of her findings involve the use of rock music as an aphrodisiac. While at a conference in my beloved Chi-town, Dr. Myrna comes into contact with a group of musicians–and not any musicians–Sinners, the band she has followed for years. Brian “Master” Sinclair’s lead guitar riffs have formed many of the test material to which her research subjects have responded. She approaches the band in awe, and soon realizes the object of her interest is, in fact, 3/4 wasted, nursing a busted heart with tequila…

The Sinners find sexy-sexologist Myrna a hoot and compete for her attention, but it’s Brian who gets her room number. Too bad he’s too plastered to do more than pass out on her bed. No worries–he makes up for it the next morning.

The chemistry between them is so intense Brian’s creative (and other) juices flow unabated. He’s half-mating/half-writing, new guitar licks spout forth whenever they get the heat on. And so they fire that burner right on up–for a weekend.

Then it’s back to ‘real life’, but the pull between them is strong. Brian’s distracted on tour and won’t take any of the groupies who throw themselves at his rock-god feet. He wants more of Myrna–the forever-kind of more. Meanwhile Myrna fears commitment, her ex-husband was controlling and abusive, and is sure that Brian can’t give her what she needs–a true love. Plus, she’s not willing to give up her career for a man–even if he is Master Sinclair.

Reuniting for a holiday, Myrna rides along with the band. Witnessing the groupies’ unconventional sexual behavior, Myrna’s struck by the research potential.  She gets a grant and tours with the band for the summer while conducting interviews of the lusty ladies at each tour stop. It’s maddening for her to see so many women after the man she desires, but this demonstrates the level of commitment Brian is willing to set for them; he never glances at the groupies.

And when Myrna needs him? He drops everything to get to her.

I loved the passion and the intimacy. One thing I can clearly count on with Olivia is a baseline of respect layered with a melody of smoking hot sex. Her characters talk to each other. They get to know one another, on at least a cursory level, before they plunge ahead. Growing up in the Motley Crue “Girls, GIrls, Girls”-era, I love seeing these tattooed rockers with a heart and a soul–one that is reachable by a strong woman.

Thanks Olivia for the BACKSTAGE PASS into a vibrant world of love, sex and music!

You can find BACKSTAGE PASS at some libraries (mine had an eBook for loan) or at Goodreads, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Print editions can be ordered at your local bookstore.

Let me know if you’ve read any of Olivia’s work–or have a Rock Romance to recommend–in the comments. And, as always, keep reading my friends!  🙂

Caught up in THE SUBURBAN STRANGE–A Review

What would you do if your life depended upon you losing your virginity before your 16th birthday?

A freaking mind-bender of a question for many out there–I’m sure.

13322609I recently finished Nathan Kotecki‘s THE SUBURBAN STRANGE, a YA paranormal romance and that was one of the many intriguing plot questions the characters struggled to answer.

Here’s what happens:

Fifteen year old Celia Balaustine is new to Suburban High. She’s still saddened by the loss of her father a year ago and is reticent to make friends. Instead she draws. Her skill as an artist makes her a friend in a summer drawing class–Regine, an upperclassman at her new school.

Regine and her friends make up a small clique of “sophisicates” who call themselves the Rosary. They dress in tailored clothing, favoring the darker hues in the spectrum, and alternative music. It’s not Goth, and it’s not emo, but it’s different and the Rosary enjoys being set apart.

Celia buys into this group wholeheartedly as it gives her confidence of friendship and lends an air of mystery that suits her shyness. In addition to her Rosary friends, Celia befriends her lab partner Mariette, who she soon discovers has supernatural powers. In short Mariette is a witch of the Kind, meaning she performs good magic to help people. Those of the Unkind–or dark magic practicioners–are Mariette’s mortal enemy.

It’s handy to have a Kind witch at Suburban High because it soon becomes apparent that an Unkind is working evil on the younger girls at school. A rash of girls are having dangerous, near-fatal accidents on the day before their 16th birthday. These incidents seem to plague only the girls who aren’t sexually active.

As rumors–and deflowering offers–fly through the school, Celia is faced with the choice: Should she? She’s never even kissed a boy. And while she’s interested in one, Tomasi, she’s not sure she’s ready for that at all.

In the end Celia’s decision seems less important than the hunt for the Unkind. Because one girl finally does die, granting that dark witch exceptional power. And Celia’s innate strength is the only thing protecting her from certain death. It’s a fantastic book with layers of art and musical references.

It’s lyrical and fantastical and an intriguing read. While the sex question is prominent, there are thoughtful and conscientious arguments made that (I believe) any teenager faces regarding sexual activity. In this scenario the peer pressure is astounding, and it seems few girls cave. Is it because everyone will assume she ‘did it’ if she isn’t maimed? The promiscuity double-standard all girls experience is laid in plain sight, so the discussions are unencumbered by the usual mores.  I enjoyed the sensitivity with which this was handled, but wonder why only the girls were targeted.

The world of SUBURBAN STRANGE is a pretty cool one, no doubt. I half-wished to be one of the Rosary, and ached with Celia as one after another roadblock was erected between her and Tomasi.

Interested? You can fine THE SUBURBAN STRANGE at your local library (that’s where I got it), Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I already have the sequel, PULL DOWN THE NIGHT, on my actual (not virtual) shelf waiting to be read. You’ll probably hear about it soon…

If you pick up THE SUBURBAN STRANGE, don’t forget to let me know what you thought of it in the comments. I’d also love to hear your take on the Sex-Before-Sixteen premise.  If you were Celia, would you have done the deed to protect yourself from harm?

And, as always, keep reading my friends!

STIR ME UP–Book Blitz and Giveaway

Stir Me Up
by Sabrina Elkins
Release Date: 10/01/13
Harlequin Teen
Summary from Goodreads:
Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She’ll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father’s French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami’s family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.Julian’s all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami’s starting to feel. And Cami can’t stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He’s got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated….

An appetizer of STIR ME UP:
It’s maybe twelve-thirty when I decide to do the unthinkable. I slip my jeans back on, take a room key, glance at Estella—sound asleep—and tiptoe out the door barefoot, hands shaking. I knock lightly on Julian’s door, sure he too is fast asleep. I can’t hear a thing inside his room. But I know he’s got the cane and his legs to deal with, so I wait. Even though he’s sleeping. He said he was tired. This is stupid… I clutch my room key and decide I’ll leave. I’ll wait twenty more seconds and then leave. He’s not coming. Okay. I turn—and of course that’s when the door opens. Jeans. Cane. Bare chest.

“Hi,” I manage.

The door opens wider. I slip inside, and I’m instantly pinned to the wall by Julian’s free arm and body. “Estella’s asleep?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“You’re trembling.”

“I… ” His kiss leaves me breathless; my arms are wrapped around him. His balance is better now, but distantly I worry about him falling again. My legs may give out also. “Ahh… ”

“Come to bed.”

WOW! Julian sounds like one hearty snack… I’ll be reviewing STIR ME UP in a few weeks, so stay tuned!

Available from:
photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg  photo 111AD205-AA04-4F9E-A0F4-C1264C4E9F30-1855-000001A1E8CEB6D7_zps9b730b94.jpg  photo KoboIcon_zps515cdc1a.jpg
About the Author
Sabrina Elkins, author of Stir Me Up, has also worked as a journalist, movie copywriter and prep cook. She graduated from USC and currently lives with her husband and three children in the greater Los Angeles area.
Sabrina loves hearing from her readers, and encourages you to visit her at
www.sabrinaelkins.com, on Twitter @sabrina_elkins, Facebook at
elkins.sabrina, and Goodreads.
 
***Author Links***
photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png  photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png  photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png  photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png

GIVEAWAY:
Win 1 of 3 stockings filled
with holiday candy, chocolates, a hand-crafted Christmas charm bracelet and $10
Amazon gift card.  Open Internationally. Void
where prohibited.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

DAUGHTER OF ISIS–Book Blitz and Giveway

Daughter of Isis (Descendants of Isis, #1)
Release Date: 10/26/13
Cover Designed by: Steven Novak
Summary from Goodreads:
“Her mouth parted slightly, waiting for Seth to breathe life into her own body, just like in the story. She wanted him to awaken her senses.”

Their worlds collide in California’s high desert.

The last thing Natara “Natti” Stone wants to do is to start anew at Setemple High School. She wished she had never left London. Yet the brutal murder of her maternal grandmother has made her life very complicated. The only clue related to her murder is an ancient, encrypted necklace Natti discovered after her grandmother’s death. And if trying to adjust to American life is not enough, Natti is being stalked by a mysterious, charming high school senior, Seth O’Keefe, who is annoyingly persistent in his attempts at seduction.

Seth O’Keefe is secretly a member of the Sons of Set, an order that worships the Egyptian god of chaos. Seth’s blessing from Set, his “charm,” never failed, except with one person: Natti Stone. Her ability to elude him infatuates and infuriates him, and he becomes obsessed with the chase. But the closer he gets to her, the more his emotions take a dangerous turn, and he risks breaking one of the most valued covenants of his order. The punishment for which is a fate worse than death.

The adventure this unlikely couple becomes engulfed in could cost them their lives and their souls.

*Note: Content for Upper YA*

How about a tease?
“She has always protected our family,” Zofia told her. “And we have always been careful to protect her in return.”

Protected, Natti snorted and picked the box up gently and tilted it upright so she could look at the relief. Then why was her grandmother dead? Murdered in her own home?
She brushed her fingers over the mother-of-pearl feathers of Isis’s wings. Patterns of stars, ankhs, and eyes graced the borders, the mother-of-pearl incasing them in fine lines of shimmering white. Straightening her position on the floor, she leaned her back against the bed frame and studied the figures and images.

As she tipped the box just a bit more, something shifted and clinked against the wood inside. Natti froze. She glanced at her cat, who had stuck her nose over the rim of her fort; her eyes like saucers. Returning her attention back to the cedar box, Natti opened the lid. The maroon, velvet lining greeted her, but nothing more. Natti cocked her head and closed the box again as she thought. She examined the exterior, giving it a small shake. A metallic object scraped and rattled against the wood. A thought hit her, and she looked back inside, this time comparing the interior depth to the height of the exterior.

“Oh shit!” Natti rechecked to make sure her eyes hadn’t failed her. “No, bloody way!”
You can check out my review of DAUGHTER OF ISIS here.

Available from:
photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg  photo 111AD205-AA04-4F9E-A0F4-C1264C4E9F30-1855-000001A1E8CEB6D7_zps9b730b94.jpg  photo KoboIcon_zps515cdc1a.jpg
About the Author
During her high school years, Kelsey Ketch could always be found tucked away in a little corner of the hall or classroom, writing her fantasy worlds and creating illustrations and maps. Today is no different, except now she’s writing in the break room at her office building or at the tables of the Barnes and Noble Café in Cary, North Carolina. She is also an avid reader, a part-time book blogger at Ketch’s Book Nook, and lives with her two orange tabbies and awesome and humorous flat-mate.Daughter of Isis is her debut novel.
For more information, please visit her site at kelseyketch.com.



***Author Links***
photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png  photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png  photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png  photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png

GIVEAWAY:
One
winner will receive an Anubis Plush Toy and a Tyet Necklace (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book
Blitz Organized by: